St Kilda Football Club has finalised its coaching line-up for AFLW Season 7 under senior coach Nick Dal Santo, with Jarryd Roughead and Brendon Lade joining VFLW Senior Coach Dale Robinson in new roles for the season ahead.

Robinson, who last week led the Southern Saints to another semi-final berth, has been elevated to the position of Assistant Coach – Midfield, replacing Alex Woodward who has pared back his duties for the next leg of 2022.

Lade will assume the role of Ruck/Talls Coach alongside his AFLW mentoring duties and AFL obligations as Assistant Coach (Forwards), while Roughead will advise in a leadership capacity for players and coaches.

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After spending AFLW Season 6 as a Development Coach, Dale Robinson has stepped up into the role of Assistant Coach - Midfield for Season 7. Photo: AFL Photos.

St Kilda men’s player Mason Wood will carry his specialised football craft sessions into Season 7 alongside Woodward, while Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing Dr Ben Robbins has increased his hours to work more closely with the women’s program.  

“We are delighted to have Dale, Brendon and Jarryd with us for Season 7,” Head of AFLW Tessie McManus said.

Dale’s appointment is a testament to her standing in women’s football and is the next logical step in her coaching career. Her work with the Southern Saints has been profound and we are immensely fortunate to have her join our ranks in a line coach position.

- Head of AFLW Tessie McManus

“Brendon will continue to be an important supportive figure as he was last season, but has additionally committed to our coaching panel in an official capacity for Season 7.

“Having a coach of Brendon’s calibre, alongside someone of Jarryd's capabilities and experience, will be extremely beneficial to us and ensure that integration between our men’s and women’s football programs is at the forefront.

“Jarryd’s role will see him work with both players and coaches to enhance our leadership skills both on and off the field, and we look forward to seeing his influence have a noticeable impact on our group.”

Brendon Lade will expand his role for AFLW Season 7, joining as Ruck/Talls Coach alongside his mentoring duties. Photo: AFL Photos.

After almost 30 years of coaching in many different capacities, Head of Player Development & Strategy Paddy Hill has taken a slight step back to spend more time with his family.

Hill's role will focus primarily on Player Development both on and off the field, as well as see an added element to his role as the Runner on match-day. Assistant Coach – Forwards Lachlan Harris will take on Hill’s strategic repertoire as Football Strategy Lead, alongside his line duties.  

Assistant Coach – Backline David Carden will continue his role from last season, while Development Coach/Player Mentor Nicole Callinan and Sports Dietician Sarina Lococo have taken up positions at Carlton Football Club and the Victorian Institute of Sport respectively.

Twenty-two Saints recommit for AFLW Season 7

“Paddy’s experience in both women’s and men’s football is such an asset to our program, and we are extremely grateful to have him commit for another season with us,” McManus said.

“We’re very pleased to have Lachie step up into the strategy space in light of Paddy’s new role and congratulate him on taking on this important workload.

“On behalf of the club, I would also like to thank Nicole and Sarina for all they have contributed during their time at the club. The opportunities they each have in front of them are fitting recognition for all their dedication and hard work and we wish them all the best for the future.”

Four-time Premiership Hawk Jarryd Roughead will join St Kilda's AFLW program for Season 7. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

St Kilda’s AFLW Program will be bolstered by the promotions and additions of Head Physiotherapist Amy Decker, Head Trainer Emily Van De Water, Sports Dietician Meg Crocker, Logistics Coordinator & Operations Assistant Chantel Pinney and Data/GPS Analyst Nathan Tang, who will increase the club’s Performance Analyst space alongside Performance Analyst/Head of Recruiting Anthony Tang.

The club has also retained critical football staff including Chief Medical Officer Leesa Huguenin, Head of Strength & Conditioning Ben Frith, List Manager Scott Whyte, Head of Player Development & Wellbeing Bernadette Sierakowski, Operations Coordinator Gemma Sammut, Physio Support Laura Fazzari and Team Manager Lauren Blackwood.

AFLW Coaching and Football Program – Season 7

Head of AFLW – Tessie McManus

Head Coach – Nick Dal Santo
Assistant Coach – Midfield – Dale Robinson
Assistant Coach – Backline – David Carden
Assistant Coach – Forwards + Football Strategy Lead – Lachlan Harris
Rucks/Talls Coach – Brendon Lade
Head of Mental Healh & Wellbeing – Ben Robbins
Leadership – Jarryd Roughead
Football Craft – Mason Wood
Football Craft – Alex Woodward
Player Development/Runner – Patrick Hill

Head of Strength & Conditioning – Ben Frith
Rehabilitation Coach – Jasmine Speight
Strength Coach – Mitch Rowe
Performance Analyst – Anthony Tang
Data/GPS Analyst – Nathan Tang

Chief Medical Officer – Leesa Huguenin
Head Physiotherapist – Amy Decker
Physio Support – Laura Fazzari
Physio Support – Emily Irvine
Physio Support – Abbie Cagliarini
Sleep Expert – Elise Facer-Childs
Head Trainer – Emily Van De Water
Sports Dietician – Meg Crocker

List Manager – Scott Whyte
Head of Recruiting – Anthony Tang
Operations Coordinator – Gemma Sammut
Logistics Coordinator & Operations Assistant – Chantel Pinney
Team Manager – Lauren Blackwood
Bernadette Sierakowski – Head of Player Development & Wellbeing

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